Military service members who experienced adversity or trauma during childhood, combined with exposure to warfare, including as participants in the military or as bystanders, are more likely than others to experience Military Sexual Trauma during their service, according to new research led by Penn State.
Traumatic childhood and combat experiences associated with veterans suicidal thoughts
The rate of suicide among post-9/11 military veterans has been rising for nearly a decade. While there are a number of factors associated with suicide, veterans have unique experiences that may contribute to them thinking about killing themselves.
Compared to their civilian peers, veterans are more likely to report having experienced traumatic adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as physical and emotional abuse. Veterans also engage in life-threatening combat and witness the corollaries of combat such as seeing colleagues killed or wounded.
Keith Aronson, Associate Director, Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State and the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI)